Starting Now . . . NHL Awards — on some CBCs and NBCSN in the States now ... 8:00 Eastern on other CBCs — post party coverage on the NHL Network. :-) It was an awesome year for hockey ... but then most *have* been recently. Incredible playoffs, Olympics, Outdoor Classics, and more jaw-dropping young players than you can keep track of. Were in yet another Golden Era. So ... tune in to see Crosby win his 2nd Hart (MVP) Trophy, and 3rd Ted Lindsay/Pearson Award, as voted by the players. The Colorado Avalanche will be the big winners with THREE trophies tonight — the Calder (rookie) for master MacKinnon; Ryan OReilly for the Lady Byng as the player exhibiting best sportsmanship — he played 80 games this season and got *ONE* penalty (for not dropping a broken stick fast enough!); and coach Patty Wah. The Finnish wizard Tuukka Rask will rightfully take home his first Vezina. I kinda think Shea Webers gonna finally win his first Norris for best defenseman. Of course, if the voting was done at the end of the playoffs and not the end of the season, it would be Drew Doughty in a landslide. ;-) And I gotta assume Winnipegs own Jonathon Toews is gonna repeat for the Selke as best defensive forward. The New York Rangers own Dominic Moore will certainly win the Masterton for perseverance and dedication. I think L.A.s Dustin Brown is getting the Mark Messier Award for best leadership. And I betcha Dean Lombardi wins for best G.M. for how hes built the L.A. Kings. Or at least he should. And a nice twist this year — Team Canada players were just given their Gold Medal rings today, and about half the team are finalists for various awards, and just flew in to Vegas wearing them. :-D One of the coolest things about these events — you get to see players NOT under helmets or behind masks — and the way they dress when not in a uniform — a whole different and very rare peak at their personalities of these ice warriors. In summary: Loads of celebrities and drunk hockey players! What could be better! :-D —
Posted on: Tue, 24 Jun 2014 23:31:19 +0000